Until 10 months ago I had never even heard of Toddler Hypoglycemia! But now the events of last February are etched into my memory. Carrying Little G’s lifeless body into A&E will not be something I forget easily.
So what is Toddler Hypoglycemia?
You are probably aware of hypoglycemia, something that diabetics in particular suffer with if they do not take the correct dose of insulin. Blood sugars fall and it leaves you weak and at risk of falling unconscious. This is something they have to live with for their whole lives and is why they have to eat regularly and measure their sugar intake.
Thankfully Toddler Hypoglycemia is not a long term illness, if you can call it an illness at all. It is simply a phase, something they grow out of. Still it is something to be taken seriously as without proper care can result in terrible consequences. It is very similar to the ‘regular’ hypoglycemia in that sugar needs to be controlled and food needs to be consumed little and often.
How do I know if my toddler has it?
Does your child ever say they are tired?
Do they get hungry between meals? Always seem to be hungry?
Do they have mood swings/ tantrums that tie in with those ‘snack’ times?
Do they wake in the night with ‘terrors’?
If you answered yes to those, most crucially to the night waking question then your toddler probably has it. Night terrors/ wakings happen when the blood sugar drops past a certain point in the middle of the night- usually around 3am. They will often be drowsy, like they aren’t even awake at all. They can also be distressed.
What do I do?
Firstly, don’t panic – it can be controlled easily. Make an appointment to see your doctor and tell them of your concerns. Of course if you find yourself, as I did, with an unresponsive child then dial 999 immediately.
How can I help?
Snacks between meals and a snack before bed. The night time snack is most important as it gives them enough energy to see them through until breakfast (We give butter and toast at bedtime). The day time snacks just prevent those nasty mood swings and help keep their blood sugar balanced throughout the day. Obviously high sugar snacks are not a good idea, they will simply give a quick boost and result in a crash soon after.
Why does it happen and when will it end?
Toddlers are like little balls of energy aren’t they? They run about all day and their little bodies cannot store enough energy in one go to keep them bouncing around all day. If they go more than a couple of hours without food they run out of energy- just think how many feeds they used to have as a baby!!!
It will end when they are between 5 and 9, depending when it started. Usually they will out grow it after a couple of years. The night wakings stop and the terrible twos end- in line with them being able to store energy for longer!
**If ever you feel your child is drowsy or non-responsive then give them a sugary drink and ring 999.**
I am not a doctor, these are just views based on my experience as a mother of a child with Toddler Hypoglycemia.
Helen Tasker
Wednesday 23rd of September 2015
I was sorry to read that you had such a traumatic time with your little one due toddler hypoglycaemia, I actually never knew anything about this and I'm so glad I read about it. My son has these symptoms nearly on a daily basis and I was actually wondering why he was waking up sweating and screaming in the night. Thank you so much for the post, I will definitely be keeping a close eye on him now
Katy
Thursday 24th of September 2015
Oh Helen I really hope a little snack before bed and feeding little and often through the day helps xx
Ally Messed Up Mum
Saturday 28th of March 2015
It's so good that we can share our negative experiences through blogging to help others be aware isn't it? Obviously it would be better had you not had to endure this fear in the first place, but thanks for choosing to share with us. X
Katy
Saturday 28th of March 2015
So many people have said that their children have the symptoms, so glad I decided to share! x
Lauren
Friday 27th of March 2015
We just experienced this last Monday morning. Our first and only child was 18 months. He woke up unlike himself, laid his head on my stomach and became unresponsive. 911 was called.. finally blood sugar was checked, he'd dipped to 36. BUT.....OUR CHILD HAS A SEVERE AND CRITICAL CONGENTIAL HEART DEFECT....two open heart surgeries by the age of six months. I literally thought my child was dying in my arms and his heart was failing him. I certainly hope this is a phase and he'll grow out of it. His pediatrician is worried about his liver or his body making too much insulin. If he has something more serious wrong more than toddler hypoglycemia, even diabetes.....I just don't know.......we are following up with a pediatric endocrinologist first week of April but I am so scared. My poor baby just can't catch a break
Katy
Friday 27th of March 2015
I am so sorry you have experienced this too- and mixed with the heart defect I cannot even imagine the worry. Hope everything works out at your appointment in April xx
Mrs H
Saturday 24th of January 2015
I had never heard of Toddler Hypoglycemia until I read this post. Thank you so much for all this information. Little Miss H was born with really low blood sugars so this is definitely something I will keep an eye on. Poor you having to take your gorgeous Little G into A&E for this. How scary. Thanks so much for linking up to #SundaysStars. I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to comment. Hygs Mrs H xxxx
Katy
Sunday 25th of January 2015
No worries my lovely. Always good to be informed but hopefully Miss H won't have it xx
Fiona @ Free Range Chick
Friday 23rd of January 2015
Katy, I'm certain both of my sons get this. My elder is often too busy to be bothered with eating and then gets very hungry in between meals. They both seem to have nightmares. We give them lots of peanut butter, banana, wholemeal toast - basically healthy, low GI snacks, high in energy.
A great post - really informative! Thanks x
Katy
Saturday 24th of January 2015
Yes low GI is the way forward, glad you have managed to realise the problem x